The Guardian have reported that Funk Pop enigma Prince is to headline the Hop Farm Music festival in July. It will be the singer’s only UK show of 2011. The other headlining acts at the festival are very different the previously announced Americana legends The Eagles and former Smiths frontman Morrissey.
It will be the first time Prince has played in the UK since he broke sales records at a 21-date residency at the O2 arena in 2007. He will top the bill on Sunday 3 July on a newly announced third day of the festival
Vince Power, the festival organiser, told the Guardian he had been negotiating the deal for six months and felt “humbled” to have pulled it off. “Prince is one of the biggest artists in the world,” he added, “so to get him to the Hop Farm is incredible.”
Power said that “you can’t dicate terms to any artist” but suggested Prince would play a liberal selection of his greatest hits, in keeping with the setlists for the singer’s ongoing US tour. Asked which of the three headling acts at the festival were closest to his own tastes, the promoter demurred, insisting: “I can’t possibly say that – come on!”Other acts scheduled to play the first two days include Iggy and the Stooges, Bryan Ferry, Lou Reed, Brandon Flowers and Patti Smith. The event prides itself on its “no sponsorship, no branding” ethos.
Tickets for the two previously announced days are already on sale, while tickets for the third day will be available from Thursday 19 May.
The Hop Farm Music festival runs from Friday 1 July to Sunday 3 July.
